Partially adhered flexible axle for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A flexible axle including at least one first arm to connect a vehicle body to a wheel support, and a crossbeam including at least one first end that can be adhered to the first arm, wherein an arm that can be assembled by adhesion includes plural portions which, when joined together in a first transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the crossbeam, define a recess having a shape essentially complementary to that of the first end of the crossbeam that the recess receives.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A flexible axle comprising:
 at least one first arm, configured to connect a bodyshell to a wheel support;   a crossmember including at least one first end;   the arm including plural parts which, joined together in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember, define a housing of a shape that essentially complements that of the first end of the crossmember that it houses;   wherein the first end of the crossmember is bonded to at least part of the first arm.   
     
     
         15 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first end of the crossmember has a shape without undercut. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the shape of the first end of the crossmember is substantially oblong. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the plural parts of the first arm which define the housing are fixed together by clamping elements. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the plural parts of the first arm which define the housing are fixed together by screws. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first arm includes two cradle-like parts forming the housing for the first end of the crossmember. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the crossmember, with exception of its ends, has a substantially V-shaped generatrix section. 
     
     
         21 . A method of assembling an axle including: a crossmember including at least one first end; and at least one first arm including plural parts which, joined together in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the crossmember, define a housing a shape of which essentially complements that of the first end of the crossmember that it houses; the method comprising:
 a first positioning during which a first part of the first arm defining the housing is positioned and held in position;   a first adhesive application during which a surface of the first part of the positioned first arm intended to make contact with the first end of the crossmember is coated with adhesive;   a second positioning the first end of the crossmember on contact with the adhesive-coated first part of the first arm;   a second adhesive application during which the surface of other parts of the first arm which define the housing for the first end of the crossmember is coated with adhesive;   an assembly during which the plural parts of the first arm which define the housing are positioned together;   a clamping during which the plural parts of the first arm which define the housing are clamped against the first end of the crossmember.   
     
     
         22 . The method of assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the crossmember is also coated with adhesive prior to assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The method of assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the crossmember is placed resting against the first part of the housing. 
     
     
         24 . The method of assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the plural parts of the first arm which define the housing are clamped against the first end of the crossmember using screws. 
     
     
         25 . The method of assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first end of the crossmember is assembled at a same time as a second end of the crossmember. 
     
     
         26 . A motor vehicle, comprising a flexible axle as claimed in  claim 14 .